Asbestos removal at Reject Shop in Moonah nears completion but inquiry ‘will take some time’

The Reject Shop in Moonah is expected to remain closed for several days.Source: News Corp Australia

THE retailer at the centre of an asbestos scare is expected to remain closed for several days while investigations continue at its Moonah store.

WorkSafe Tasmania told the Mercury yesterday it had received confirmation that vinyl tiles at the Reject Shop at Moonah contained asbestos.

“Removal of the material by a licensed removalist has commenced and is expected to conclude today,” a Department of Justice spokeswoman said.

“WorkSafe’s investigation of this matter will take some time to complete.”

In a statement issued yesterday afternoon, the Reject Shop said independent testing commissioned by the company had shown there had been no health risks to either customers or employees at the store.

“To eliminate any possibility whatsoever of risk, The Reject Shop has commissioned a third series of independent tests -- the results of which are expected to be available in the next few days,” the statement read.